Saints Place Rafael Bush On Injured Reserve, Release Hightower

New Orleans Saints safety Rafael Bush's season has ended after only 1 game. He was placed on injured reserve today after tearing a pectoral muscle in his chest during Sunday's week 1 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

Considering starting safety Jairus Byrd has taken the field this season with a chronic knee problem, starting cornerback Keenan Lewis is out for possibly another month after having hip surgery, and rookie third round pick P.J. Williams is on injured reserve, the Saints depleted secondary continues to get thinner.

The Saints signed veteran safety Kenny Phillips on Monday. He has not played in the NFL in two years.

Phillips spent training camp and preseason with New Orleans before being cut last week.

His first action back could be in a starting role, unless the swelling in Bryd’s knee finally goes down enough for him to play next Sunday in the home opener versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Another potential starting option is backup safety Jamarca Sanford.

New Orleans made another roster move Tuesday, releasing veteran running back Tim Hightower. Like Phillips, he has not played an NFL game in over two years, but looked impressive enough in training camp and preseason to stick around, even if not on the active roster.

He watched Sunday's loss in Arizona in a suite, and was signed yesterday, only to be released today.

It's possible in future weeks, he'll spent time on the active roster, but could be riding a carousel all season of "on again, off again" when it comes to game week.